In a recent discussion in my Strategic Management class, a classmate spoke about working hard, working smart and sometimes working around it. His particular thought was that as new graduates begin work they first start by working hard and eventually as they become experienced and better trained, they start to work smarter rather than harder. At the same time, a particular minority tend to work around their responsibilities and simply rely on good old office politics to survive in the work place.
But what really separates successful people from those who fail? Or better yet, what separates the super successful individual from the merely successful either in the corporate world, in business or in public service? Is it the person who works hard? The person who works smart? Or the person who works around it? Where do we start?
To my mind, if we really work hard we will be able to get things done and be efficient in what we do. Working really smart will enable us to deliver the results. We can create the impression that we are effective but that is risky since such tactics may still not lead to success because of short cuts or too much reliance on other people. Doing both is the mark of a true winner and provides the perfect recipe for success.
Neither working hard nor smart and just working around both will most likely lead to failure. Relying on office politics may give one certain short term gains and money nut not the sustainable results which could also lead to a lack of genuine personal and professional fulfillment, since whatever one achieves is a result of kowtowing to influential people in the organization.
One of my professors stated that majority of CEOs despite being at the very top of the ladder, still spend about 12 hours in their respective offices. Even Jack Welch, probably history's most admired corporate leader, always relied on relentless follow-up to ensure success.
When I began to process the working hard and smart combination, I remembered my late grandfather who always told me to work hard in everything I do whether it be a simple school homework early in life or a complex project I was about to finish in college.
When I started my career in the pharmaceutical industry, my father who is a highly trained physician, emphasized working smart and continuing training and education as way of sharpening the saw. He said that working smart was critical to success.
From the time of my grandfather to my father, I have come from working hard to working smart. At this time where it will be my turn to share wisdom with my 7-year-old son, I will be telling him that just one will not be enough to ensure success in work and in life. A combination of both is necessary to create more fulfilling results.
from Managing for Society Column Manila Times (Print Edition), September 24, 2007 Enrique Antonio B. Reyes, RPh, MBA
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